Seneca Park Zoo Strategic and Master Plan

Monroe County’s Zoo Master Plan was 14 years old and had little political support. The Association for Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) was threatening to strip the Zoo’s accreditation. The County needed to act quickly with a new Master Plan that could quickly turn into a critical construction project.

SWBR’s Landscape Architecture group lead the development of the Strategic Plan and Master Plan. Our firm managed preparation of market analysis, operational impacts, capital planning, architectural development, engineering assessments, exhibit design, and community facilitation. The team facilitated retreats and public meetings to prepare the Strategic Plan, was part of the team that prepared the concept layout, and was responsible for developing design standards – particularly as they pertained to the context of the Zoo within the historic park and adjacent to a residential neighborhood.

The updated Plan bolstered the new mission of animal conservation, respected its context within a Frederick Law Olmsted Park, and justified financial viability for the recommendations. The 2015 SPZ Master Plan was adopted by the County Legislature with tremendous community support and is being immediately implemented with a $58 million first phase.